Coughin Vicars’ latest release, Curses & Prayers, marks a bold and invigorating chapter in their sonic journey.The album is a culmination of years spent crafting their distinct blend of gritty punk and experimental edges. The band presents a collection that both defies and embraces their punk roots with a strikingly raw and evolved sound.
Produced by guitarist Adam Clarkson in Vagrant Studios and mixed by the band themselves, Curses & Prayers is a testament to their DIY ethos. Mastered by Piers Mortimer, known for his work with Robert Fripp and Creedence Clearwater, the album features a notable collaboration with composer and saxophonist Daniel Thorne on the track “The Reach,” adding a layer of avant-garde sophistication to their already complex sound.
The album stands out for its audacious approach to androgyny and vulnerability in a genre often marked by bravado and aggression. This thematic depth is mirrored in the music, which oscillates between powerful anthems and introspective ballads, and challenges traditional punk conventions. The Coughin Vicars’ previous experiences with bands like Napalm Death and SSS are palpable in the album’s intense energy, but Curses & Prayers also reveals a new layer of maturity and introspection.
Curses & Prayers is a compelling mix of raw emotion and high-octane punk and vividly captures the Coughin Vicars’ relentless live performances and their commitment to pushing boundaries.
